Insulated drinking vessel with multifunction lid

ABSTRACT

The present embodiments describe an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. In an embodiment, the drinking vessel can be configured to receive a multifunction lid. The multifunction lid may, in one embodiment, include an opening for receiving a drinking straw. In an embodiment, the multifunction lid may additionally include an opening for drinking or sipping directly through the lid. In an embodiment, the lid may include an operable cover for covering at least one of the openings in a first position and for allowing access to the fluid through the opening in a second position. In a further embodiment, the lid may include a plurality of operable covers. A first operable cover may be configured for covering the drinking straw opening in a first position and allowing insertion of a straw in a second position. The lid may also include an operable cover for covering the sipping spout in a first position and allowing drinking directly through the spout in a second position.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This Application claim priority from and the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/076,910, entitled INSULATED DRINKING VESSEL WITHMULTIFUNCTION LID, and filed Mar. 22, 2016.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to drinking vessels, and morespecifically, to an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid.

BACKGROUND

Drinking vessels, such as cups, insulated beverage containers, canteens,and the like are used to contain fluids for drinking. Fluids tend tospill if left in an open container, so many drinking vessels include alid. Some lids include openings for allowing controlled passage of thefluid to a user of the vessel. In some cases, the opening is a hole orslot for receiving a drinking straw. In other cases, the opening is ahole or slot for sipping directly through the lid. Various forms of suchdrinking vessels are known in the art. For example, paper disposablecups commonly include a plastic lid with an “X” shaped opening cut inthe surface thereof for receiving a drinking straw. Many disposablecoffee cups may be covered with a lid that includes a slot or spout forsipping directly through the lid. Such lids often include a secondaryhole or opening for allowing passage of air through the lid, therebyequalizing the pressure inside the drinking vessel and the environmentoutside of the drinking vessel.

Some drinking vessels are insulated to reduce thermal transfer betweenthe fluid contained in the drinking vessel and the external environment.For example, some disposable coffee cups are formed of an insulatingmaterial, such as a polymer foam. Other insulated drinking vessels mayinclude an inner vessel and an outer shell, where at least a portion ofthe outer shell is spaced apart from a portion of the inner vessel. Insome insulated drinking vessels, the space between the inner vessel andthe outer shell is filled with air. In other cases the space may befilled with an insulating material, such as a fibrous material, apolymer foam material, or the like. In other cases, the space betweenthe inner vessel and the outer shell is vacuum sealed. Known drinkingvessels are commonly made from paper, polymers, foam, plastic, metal,and the like.

People often use covered drinking vessels when they are on the move. Forexample, it may be desirable to cover a drinking vessel whentransporting the fluid on foot or in a vehicle. Additionally, it may bedesirable to use a covered drinking vessel in the outdoors to preventcontamination of the fluids by dirt, insects, or the like. Becausecovered drinking vessels may be used in a variety of circumstances, andwith a variety of different fluids, it may be useful to have a varietyof access options. Unfortunately, drinking vessels are typically onlyprovided with a lid configured for a single mode of access, such as witha straw, or with a drinking spout.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of systems and apparatuses including an insulated drinkingvessel with a multifunction lid are described. In an embodiment, anapparatus includes a lid configured to engage an opening of a container,the lid configured to retain the liquid within the container. Theapparatus may further include a first opening in the lid for dispensingliquid across a rim of the lid. Additionally, the apparatus may includea second opening in the lid for receiving a drinking straw. Theapparatus may also include a first cover for covering the first openingin a first position and for allowing access to the first opening in asecond position. Also, the apparatus may include a second cover forcovering the second opening in a first position and for allowing accessto the second opening in a second position.

An embodiment of a system may include a container for containingliquids, and a lid configured to engage an opening of the container, thelid configured to retain the liquid within the container. The lid mayinclude a first opening for dispensing liquid across a rim of the lid, asecond opening for receiving a drinking straw, a first cover forcovering the first opening in a first position and for allowing accessto the first opening in a second position, and a second cover forcovering the second opening in a first position and for allowing accessto the second opening in a second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The following drawings form part of the present specification and areincluded to further demonstrate certain aspects of the presentinvention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one ormore of these drawings in combination with the detailed description ofspecific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of aninsulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view diagram of one embodiment of aninsulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid.

FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinkingvessel with a multifunction lid.

FIG. 4 is a top view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinkingvessel with a multifunction lid.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view diagram of one embodiment of an insulateddrinking vessel with a multifunction lid.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid.

FIG. 7 is a side view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunctionlid.

FIG. 9A a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with a cover in a closed position.

FIG. 9B is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with a cover in an actuated position.

FIG. 9C is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with a cover in an open position.

FIG. 10A a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with a cover in a closed position.

FIG. 10B is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with a cover in an actuated position.

FIG. 10C is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with a cover in an open position.

FIG. 11A a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with multiple covers in a closed position.

FIG. 11B is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with multiple covers in an actuated position.

FIG. 11C is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with multiple covers in an open position.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid with a drinking straw inserted therein.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of aninsulated drinking vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various features and advantageous details are explained more fully withreference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and detailed in the following description.Descriptions of well-known starting materials, processing techniques,components, and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscurethe invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that thedetailed description and the specific examples, while indicatingembodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, andnot by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications,additions, and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of theunderlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from this disclosure.

The present embodiments describe an insulated drinking vessel with amultifunction lid. For example, in an embodiment, the insulated drinkingvessel may be a tumbler style cup. The tumbler may be formed ofstainless steel sheet metal. The drinking vessel may include an innervessel and an outer shell where at least a portion of the inner vesselis spaced apart from the outer shell, and wherein a space between theinner vessel and the outer shell is vacuum sealed.

In an embodiment, the drinking vessel can be configured to receive amultifunction lid. The multifunction lid may, in one embodiment, includean opening for receiving a drinking straw. In an embodiment, themultifunction lid may additionally include an opening for drinking orsipping directly through the lid. In an embodiment, the lid may includean operable cover for covering at least one of the openings in a firstposition and for allowing access to the fluid through the opening in asecond position. In a further embodiment, the lid may include aplurality of operable covers. A first operable cover may be configuredfor covering the drinking straw opening in a first position and allowinginsertion of a straw in a second position. The lid may also include anoperable cover for covering the sipping spout in a first position andallowing drinking directly through the spout in a second position.

In a further embodiment, the multifunction lid may include a raised edgefor engaging the lip of a user when the user drinks from the vessel.Beneficially, the smooth surface of the raised edge may provide asuperior tactile experience to the user when drinking as compared to therelatively rough surface of the metal drinking vessel. In a furtherembodiment, the raised edge may be formed with a contour, such as aconcave contour, for more fully engaging a lower lip, thereby reducingthe tendency for spillage while drinking.

In various embodiments, the multifunction lid may include additionalfeatures, such as a vent port for allowing pressure equalization andsteady flow of the fluid from the vessel. The lid may also include aflange or handle for removing the lid from the vessel.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of aninsulated drinking vessel 102 with a multifunction lid 104. In anembodiment, the multifunction lid 104 may engage an interior surface ofthe vessel 102 when seated. In another embodiment, the multifunction lid104 may engage an exterior surface of the vessel 102 when seated.Beneficially, the multifunction lid 104 may contain (or keep) a fluidwithin the vessel 102. The vessel 102 may be insulated to reduce thermalconduction between a fluid contained therein and the externalenvironment. For example, the vessel may be a stainless steel vacuuminsulated tumbler.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view diagram of one embodiment of aninsulated drinking vessel 102 with a multifunction lid 104. In anembodiment the drinking vessel 102 may include a first portion 202 and asecond portion 206, with a transition 204 between the first portion 202and the second portion 206. In one embodiment, an average outer diameterof the first portion 202 may be greater than an average outer diameterof the second portion 206. More specifically, the outer diameter alongthe second portion 206 may be within a range that is suitable forfitting in an average cup holder of an automobile. Additionally, thedrinking vessel 102 may include a bottom 208.

FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinkingvessel 102 with a multifunction lid 104. The embodiment furtherillustrates contours of the first portion 202, the second portion 206,and the transition 204. The insulated drinking vessel 102 may bemanufactured from one or more sheets of stainless steel, or other metalmaterial, where the ends of the sheet are welded together, or otherwiseattached to form a generally cylindrical profile, and a bottom piece 208is attached to a bottom edge of the cylinder for forming a vesselsuitable for holding a fluid.

FIG. 4 is a top view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinkingvessel 102 with a multifunction lid 104. As shown, the outer diameter ofthe multifunction lid 104 may be greater than the outer diameter of thevessel 102. FIG. 5 is a bottom view diagram of one embodiment of aninsulated drinking vessel 102 with a multifunction lid 104, where thebottom comprises a bottom piece 208. In an alternative embodiment, thebottom and sides of the vessel 102 may be a single piece of material,which has been stamped, pressure formed, forged, extruded, or otherwiseformed into the shape of the vessel 102, for example.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid 104. In an embodiment, the lid 104 includes a body 602for engaging at least a portion of the vessel 102 and retaining thefluid within the vessel 102. The lid 104 may also include a raised edge604 suitable for engaging a lip of a user during use. For example, whendrinking from the vessel 102 through the lid 104, the user's bottom lipmay engage the raised edge 604, rather than the vessel surface, whichmay be preferable in some embodiments.

The lid 104 may further include one or more sealing members 606 forcreating a seal between the body 602 of the lid 104 and a portion of thevessel 102. For example, the sealing member 606 may be an annular rubberor plastic ring, in some embodiments. In particular, multiple sealingmembers 606 may engage the portion of the vessel 104. In one embodiment,the lid includes two sealing members 606. In an embodiment, a recess 608may be formed in the upper surface of the lid 104, the recess 608 forretaining liquid inadvertently spilled from the cup through the lid.

In an embodiment, the lid 104 may also include a tab 610 for operatingthe lid. For example, the tab 610 may be used for grasping the lid 104to remove it from an opening of the vessel 102.

The lid 104 may also include a first cover 612 for removably covering adrinking spout opening in the vessel 102. Additionally, the lid 104 mayinclude a second cover 614 for removably covering a drinking straw holein the lid 102. In a further embodiment, the first cover 612 may includea locking mechanism 616 for locking the first cover 612 into a closed oropen position. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 616 may includea flange with a recess and a lip thereon for engaging an edge of theraised edge 604.

FIG. 7 is a side view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid104. The embodiment of FIG. 7 further illustrates the contour of theraised edge 604. For example, the raised edge 604 may be concave inshape. Also shown is the tab 610, which may be formed directly on aportion of the raised edge 604. FIG. 7 also shows an embodiment of thesealing member 606, in which the sealing member includes two annularrings applied to the body 602.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunctionlid 104. In one embodiment, the first cover 612 is attached to the body602 by one or more pivot pins or tabs 808, which are configured toengage mating pivot receivers 810 in the body 602. For example, thepivot receivers 810 may include one or more holes in a surface of thecover 104. The first cover 612 may be configured to cover the spoutopening 816 in the lid 104. Similarly, the second cover 614 may bepivotally coupled to at least one end of the first cover by a pivot pinor tab 804 for engaging a mated receiver 806. In a further embodiment, aseal 802 may be applied to the drinking straw opening 812. A vent port814 may also be covered, but not completely, by the seal 802 when thesecond cover 614 is in a closed position.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate operation of a first cover 612 of an embodimentof a multifunction lid 104. In FIG. 9A, the first cover 612 is in aclosed position, thereby sealing opening 816. FIG. 9B illustratesoperation of the first cover 612 over a pivot point, as described inmore detail above with respect to FIG. 8. FIG. 9B also illustratessealing member 902, which is attached to (or formed on) the underside ofthe first cover 612 in order to seal/close the spout opening 816 whenthe first cover 612 is closed, so as to prevent liquid from spillingfrom the vessel 102. FIG. 9C illustrates an embodiment of the firstcover 612 in an open position, where the first cover 612 is engaged withthe tab 610 to maintain the first cover 612 in the open position. Forexample, in an embodiment, a groove or slot on a surface of the firstcover 612 may be configured to receive an edge portion of the tab 610,thereby maintaining the first cover 612 in the open position.

In FIGS. 10A-C, operation of the second cover 614 is shown. In FIG. 10A,the second cover 614 is in the closed position such that seal 802 coversthe straw hole 812. In FIG. 10B, operation of the second cover 614 isshown. In such an embodiment, the second cover 614 may be moved to anopen position, as shown in FIG. 10C, while the first cover 612 remainsin the closed position. In the embodiments of FIGS. 10B-C, a recessed1002 is formed in a portion of the first cover 612 to allow access formanipulation of the second cover 614.

FIGS. 11A-C illustrate operations of both the first cover 612 and thesecond cover 614. In such an embodiment, both the first cover 612 andthe second cover 614 may be operated, as shown in FIG. 11B into the openposition, as shown in FIG. 11C. In such an embodiment, a user may drinkfrom the spout at a high rate because of the enlarged vent capacitycreated by opening the straw hole 812 in addition to the vent hole 814(shown in FIG. 8).

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of amultifunction lid 104 with a drinking straw 1202 inserted therein. In anembodiment, the drinking straw may be inserted through the straw hole812 when the second cover 614 is open and the first cover 612 is closed.In such an embodiment, the straw 1202 may extend into an interiorportion of the vessel 102.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of aninsulated drinking vessel 102. The embodiment may include an innervessel 1302 and an outer shell 1304. The inner vessel 1302 may be spacedapart from the outer shell 1304 and connected at a rim 1306. The spacebetween the inner vessel 1302 and the outer shell 1304 may be vacuumsealed, filled with insulation, filled with air, or the like. The vessel102 may be shaped in a first portion 202 and a second portion 206, wherethe average diameter of the second portion is suitable for insertioninto an average cup holder of a vehicle. One of ordinary skill willrecognize that alternative geometries may be suitable for use accordingto the present embodiments. In various embodiments, the vessel 102 maybe a stainless steel tumbler, cup, mug, or the like. The vessel 102 maybe formed to have a variety of inner volumes including, but not limitedto 20 oz., 24 oz., 30 oz., 34 oz., 40 oz., 42 oz., 64 oz., and the like.

Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference tospecific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as setforth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figuresare to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense,and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scopeof the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions toproblems that are described herein with regard to specific embodimentsare not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature or element of any or all the claims.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used toarbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus,these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or otherprioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operablycoupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined asone or more unless stated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any formof comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any formof have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form ofinclude, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any formof contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linkingverbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those oneor more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or moreelements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,”“includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one ormore operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or moreoperations.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a lid configured to engage an opening of acontainer for containing a liquid, the lid configured to retain theliquid within the container; a drinking opening in the lid sized andconfigured to allow a user to drink from the drinking opening; a rim ona periphery of the lid having a raised edge around the periphery of thelid, wherein the rim is sized and configured to engage a user's lips andreduce spillage of liquid dispensed from the drinking opening; adrinking straw opening in the lid comprising a removable drinking strawaccessible for direct contact with a user's lips while drinking from thedrinking straw, where the drinking straw opening is spaced laterallyapart and separate from the drinking opening in the lid, such that thedrinking opening and the drinking straw opening provide independentdrinking openings in the lid; a first cover attached to the lid to movebetween a first position and a second position relative to the drinkingopening, whereby the first cover is configured to preclude liquid frombeing dispensed from the drinking opening in the first position and toallow liquid to be dispensed from the drinking opening in the secondposition; and a second cover attached to the lid to move between a firstposition and a second position relative to the drinking straw opening,whereby the second cover is configured to preclude liquid from beingdispensed from the drinking straw opening in the first position and toallow liquid to be dispensed from the drinking straw opening in thesecond position, whereby the first cover and the second cover areattached to the lid such that movement of the first cover between itsfirst and second position is independent of movement of the second coverbetween its first and second position, and movement of the second coverbetween its first and second position is independent of movement of thefirst cover between its first and second position.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a vent opening for pressureequalization when the liquid is dispensed through at least one of thedrinking opening or the drinking straw opening.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the vent opening is integrated with the drinking strawopening.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cover includes ahinge and moves about a first hinged axis.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the first cover comprises a sealing member configured to sealthe drinking opening when the first cover is in its first position. 6.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanismconfigured to lock at least one of the first cover and the second coverin the first position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondcover includes a hinge and moves about a second hinged axis.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the second cover comprises a sealingmember configured to seal at least a portion of the drinking strawopening when the second cover is in its first position.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1 further comprising a sealing member coupled to the lid, thesealing member configured to form a seal between the lid and thecontainer.
 10. A system, comprising: a container for containing liquids;a lid configured to engage an opening of the container, the lidconfigured to retain the liquid within the container, wherein the lidcomprises: a drinking opening for dispensing liquid; a rim on aperiphery of the lid having a raised edge around the periphery of thelid, wherein the rim is sized and shaped for engaging a user's lips andfor reducing spillage of liquid when dispensed from the drinkingopening; a drinking straw opening including a removable drinking strawaccessible for direct contact with a user's lips while drinking from thedrinking straw, where the drinking straw opening is spaced laterallyapart and separate from the drinking opening, such that the drinkingopening and the drinking straw opening provide independent drinkingopenings; a first cover attached to the lid to move between a firstposition and a second position relative to the drinking opening, wherebythe first cover is configured to preclude liquid from being dispensedfrom the drinking opening in the first position and to allow liquid tobe dispensed from the drinking opening in the second position; and asecond cover attached to the lid to move between a first position and asecond position relative to the drinking straw opening, whereby thesecond cover is configured to preclude liquid from being dispensed fromthe drinking straw opening in the first position and to allow liquid tobe dispensed from the drinking straw opening in the second position. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the container comprises an insulateddrinking container.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the insulateddrinking container comprises a vacuum sealed drinking container havingan inner wall and an outer wall separated by a gap having at least apartial vacuum therein.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the firstcover comprises a sealing member configured to seal the drinking openingwhen the first cover is in its first position.
 14. The system of claim10 further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock at leastone of the first cover and the second cover in the first position. 15.The system of claim 10, wherein the first cover includes a hinge andmoves about a first hinged axis.
 16. The system of claim 10, wherein thesecond cover comprises a sealing member configured to seal at least aportion of the drinking straw opening when the second cover is in itsfirst position.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the lid furthercomprises a sealing member configured to form a seal between thecontainer and the lid.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising atab on the rim of the lid for facilitating removing the lid from acontainer.
 19. The system of claim 10 wherein the container includes afirst portion and a second portion, with a size transition between thefirst portion and the second portion.
 20. The system of claim 19 whereinan average outer diameter of the first portion of the container isgreater than an average outer diameter of the second portion of thecontainer.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first cover includesa locking mechanism for maintaining the first cover in its firstposition by engaging the rim of the lid and for maintaining the firstcover in its second position by engaging a tab on the rim of the lid.22. A drinking cup, comprising: a container for containing liquids; alid configured to engage an opening of the container, the lid configuredto retain the liquid within the container, wherein the lid comprises: adrinking opening for dispensing liquid; a rim on a periphery of the lidhaving a raised edge around the periphery of the lid; a drinking strawopening comprising a removable drinking straw accessible for directcontact with a user's lips while drinking from the drinking straw,whereby the drinking straw opening is spaced laterally apart andseparate from the drinking opening, such that the drinking opening andthe drinking straw opening provide independent drinking openings; afirst cover for fully covering the drinking opening in a first positionand for allowing access to the drinking opening in a second position,wherein the first cover includes a first hinge for moving the firstcover between its first position and its second position on a firstaxis; a second cover for fully covering the drinking straw opening in afirst position and for allowing access to the drinking straw opening ina second position, wherein the second cover includes a second hinge formoving the second cover between its first position and its secondposition on a second axis, whereby the first cover and the second coverare attached to the lid such that movement of the first cover betweenits first and second position is independent of movement of the secondcover between its first and second position, and movement of the secondcover between its first and second position is independent of movementof the first cover between its first and second position, and whereinthe first axis and the second axis comprise the same axis.
 23. Thedrinking cup of claim 22 wherein the first cover comprises a sealingmember configured to seal the drinking opening when the first cover isin its first position.
 24. The drinking cup of claim 23 wherein thesecond cover comprises a sealing member configured to seal the drinkingstraw opening when the second cover is in its first position.
 25. Thedrinking cup of claim 24 wherein the first cover includes a lockingmechanism for maintaining the first cover in its first position byengaging the rim of the lid.
 26. The drinking cup of claim 25 whereinthe second cover is positioned within the first cover when the secondcover and the first cover are in their first position.
 27. The drinkingcup of claim 26 wherein the container includes a first portion and asecond portion, with a size transition between the first portion and thesecond portion.
 28. The drinking cup of claim 27 wherein an averageouter diameter of the first portion of the container is greater than anaverage outer diameter of the second portion of the container.
 29. Thedrinking cup of claim 28 wherein the raised edge around the entireperiphery of the lid is sized and configured to engage a lip of a userand reduce spillage of liquid when dispensed from the drinking opening.30. The drinking cup of claim 29 wherein the lid further includes arecess for retaining inadvertently spilled liquid.
 31. The drinking cupof claim 30 wherein the first cover includes a recess for accessing thesecond cover.
 32. The drinking cup of claim 30 wherein the lid furthercomprises a vent opening for pressure equalization when liquid isdispensed through at least one of the drinking opening or the drinkingstraw opening.
 33. A lid for a drinking vessel, comprising: a drinkingopening; a rim on a periphery of the lid having a raised edge around theentire periphery of the lid; a drinking straw opening comprising aremovable drinking straw accessible for direct contact with a user'slips while drinking from the drinking straw, whereby the drinking strawopening is spaced laterally apart and separate from the drinkingopening, such that the drinking opening and the drinking straw openingprovide independent drinking openings; a first cover for fully coveringthe drinking opening in a first position and for allowing access to thedrinking opening in a second position, wherein the first cover includesa first hinge for moving the first cover between its first position andits second position on a first axis; and a second cover for fullycovering the drinking straw opening in a first position and for allowingaccess to the drinking straw opening in a second position, wherein thesecond cover includes a second hinge for moving the second cover betweenits first position and its second position on a second axis, whereby thefirst cover and the second cover are attached to the lid such thatmovement of the first cover between its first and second position isindependent of movement of the second cover between its first and secondposition, and movement of the second cover between its first and secondposition is independent of movement of the first cover between its firstand second position.
 34. The lid of claim 33 wherein the first covercomprises a sealing member configured to seal the drinking opening whenthe first cover is in its first position.
 35. The lid of claim 34wherein the second cover comprises a sealing member configured to sealthe drinking straw opening when the second cover is in its firstposition.
 36. The lid of claim 35 wherein the first cover includes alocking mechanism for maintaining the first cover in its first positionby engaging the rim of the lid.
 37. The lid of claim 36 wherein thesecond cover is positioned within the first cover when the second coverand the first cover are in their first position.
 38. The lid of claim 37further including a recess for retaining inadvertently spilled liquid.39. The lid of claim 38 wherein the first cover includes a recess foraccessing the second cover.
 40. The lid of claim 33 wherein the firstaxis extends through a first pair of pivot points on the first cover,the second axis extends through a second pair of pivot points on thesecond cover, and the first axis and the second axis comprise the sameaxis.
 41. The lid of claim 33 wherein the first and the second axis arelocated proximate a middle of the lid.
 42. The lid of claim 33 whereinthe first and the second axis are located slightly offset from a centerof the lid.
 43. The lid of claim 38 wherein the first axis extendsthrough a first pair of pivot points on the first cover, the second axisextends through a second pair of pivot points on the second cover, andthe first axis and the second axis comprise the same axis.
 44. The lidof claim 38 wherein the first and the second axis are located proximatea middle of the lid.
 45. The lid of claim 38 wherein the first and thesecond axis are located slightly offset from a center of the lid. 46.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first cover includes a lockingmechanism for locking the first cover in its first position andmaintaining the first cover in its second position.
 47. The apparatus ofclaim 4 wherein the second cover includes a hinge and moves about asecond hinged axis.
 48. The apparatus of claim 47 where the first hingedaxis and the second hinged axis comprise the same axis.
 49. The systemof claim 15 wherein the second cover includes a hinge and moves about asecond hinged axis.
 50. The system of claim 49 where the first hingedaxis and the second hinged axis comprise the same axis.
 51. The systemof claim 10 wherein the first cover and the second cover are attached tothe lid such that movement of the first cover between its first andsecond position is independent of movement of the second cover betweenits first and second position, and movement of the second cover betweenits first and second position is independent of movement of the firstcover between its first and second position.
 52. The apparatus of claim1 wherein the first cover includes a recess configured to allow accessto the second cover.
 53. The system of claim 10 wherein the first coverincludes a recess configured to allow access to the second cover. 54.The drinking cup of claim 22 wherein the first cover includes a recessconfigured to allow access to the second cover.
 55. The lid of claim 33wherein the first cover includes a recess configured to allow access tothe second cover.
 56. A drinking vessel, comprising: a lid configured toengage an opening of a container for containing a liquid, the lidconfigured to retain the liquid within the container; a drinking openingin the lid sized to allow a user to drink from the drinking opening; adrinking straw opening in the lid comprising a removable drinking strawaccessible for direct contact with a user's lips while drinking from thedrinking straw, where the drinking straw opening is spaced laterallyapart and separate from the drinking opening in the lid, such that thedrinking opening and the drinking straw opening provide independentdrinking openings in the lid; a first cover attached to the lid to movebetween a first position and a second position relative to the drinkingopening, whereby the first cover is configured to preclude liquid frombeing dispensed from the drinking opening in the first position and toallow liquid to be dispensed from the drinking opening in the secondposition; and a second cover attached to the lid to move between a firstposition and a second position relative to the drinking straw opening,whereby the second cover is configured to preclude liquid from beingdispensed from the drinking straw opening in the first position and toallow liquid to be dispensed from the drinking straw opening in thesecond position, whereby the first cover and the second cover areattached to the lid such that movement of the first cover between itsfirst and second position is independent of movement of the second coverbetween its first and second position, and movement of the second coverbetween its first and second position is independent of movement of thefirst cover between its first and second position.